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Outfitting a baby can be an overwhelming experience, and planning a baby registry while standing in the store with a scanner in hand can be a daunting moment for any pregnant woman. What kind of baby clothing will you need? What size? Do you need those cute little shoes? It's easy to obsess.

When filling your new baby's closet, there are a few questions you should ask yourself.

Will it be a boy or a girl? If you know, and plan on dressing your little one in the gender specific colors, go towards the blue hats or pink dresses. If not, look for neutral clothes in green, yellow or white. Keep this in mind if you are planning on having more than one child and want to reuse the clothes.

In what season do you expect your baby to arrive? You will likely need onesies, bodysuits, and sleepers regardless of season, but decide whether short-sleeves or long-sleeves are appropriate. If your due date is in July, look for short-sleeved or sleeveless onesies for during the day and cotton baby sleepers for night. Sleeping gowns can extremely helpful for quick diaper changes at night. Baby dresses are always adorable for your little girl at special family events, and your little boy can claim he's a Giants fan with his own NFL bodysuit.

If your baby is a winter baby, be sure to stock up on baby socks, hats, sweaters, and clothing you can layer. Denim overalls can be especially useful during this season because there are snaps for easy access for a diaper change without exposing the baby to the cold air. Look for fleece sleepers to keep your little one warm in the winter. Another trend to look for is baby leg warmers. These are great when your baby is crawling around, and is only wearing onesie. It keeps her legs warm and protects her little knees from getting rug burn.

When it comes to preemie clothing, you may want only a few because your baby will grow quickly. Also keep in mind a preemie may not fit the typical sizing found in stores. So don't take the tags off until your baby has tried it on his little body. And when you are purchasing clothing, keep in mind that while you have a July newborn, your child is going to need winter clothes when he's 6 months old in December. So always look ahead when you are thinking about purchasing that newborn sized sweater for your son that arrived in July.

How many to buy? If you are hoping to do as little laundry as possible, buy more clothes.

Don't forget baby bibs! Your baby will eat several times each day and each night, and will likely dribble all the time. Even when he starts eating solid foods, you'll still need those baby bibs. Purchase many of them and plan on washing them often. There are so many baby bibs with sassy sayings like "My Mom Rocks!" or "I Love Sushi" that your baby girl can show a little personality.

When it comes to baby shoes, you can delay this purchase for at least 6 months. It isn't until then a little one will need support for her little feet. But when it is time, start with a soft slipper shoe. Then, around 9 months when baby is trying his walking feet, look for shoes with a more solid bottom to help with balance.

Enjoy this amazing time in your life, and have fun shopping for those tiny baby clothes!

Learn more about this author, Stephanie Joynes.
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